In brief
The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit to prevent the certification of Alaska's Senate election if incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan is defeated, arguing that a second candidate with the same name could mislead voters. The Justice Department claims the addition of Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot could split votes and distort the will of Alaskan voters. President Trump called the bid a “scam” and said he would use “powerful legal options” to remove the contender. The lawsuit could delay certification if Sullivan loses by a narrow margin, prompting a review of voter confusion and ballot integrity. With Alaska among the most closely watched midterm contests, the case underscores the high stakes for both parties as the November 3 election approaches.
Trump Administration Files Suit to Halt Alaska Senate Election Certification
The U.S. Justice Department has sued in federal court to stop the state of Alaska from certifying the results of its Senate race on November 3, if incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is defeated. The complaint alleges that a similarly named candidate—Dan J. Sullivan—could confuse voters and dilute support for the sitting senator.
Sullivan, a 14‑percentage‑point‑winner in the 2024 election, faces a tight contest against Democrat Mary Peltola. Polls show Peltola holding only a small lead a few days before the vote, heightening the stakes of any perceived ballot fraud.
According to the lawsuit, the Justice Department will require Alaska to postpone certification if Sullivan loses by a margin less than the votes received by the other Dan Sullivan. A delay would trigger a review of possible voter confusion and an assessment of what the results might have been had the second candidate been removed.
“I’m the one that said do it,” President Donald Trump told reporters after the filing, adding that the case is a “scam” and that his administration is exploring “powerful legal options.” The retired teacher who shares Sullivan’s name has denied any political motive, stating he has no connections with Peltola’s campaign.
The lawsuit builds on previous attempts by Alaska’s court system to delete the second Sullivan from the ballot, all of which were rejected by the state’s Supreme Court. Alaskan voters use ranked‑choice voting, allowing them to select both candidates if uncertain, which may amplify the confusion the federal court worries about.
Should Peltola win and the court find evidence of voter confusion, certification could be delayed pending further investigation. The race is deemed one of the most closely watched in the 2026 midterms, and its outcome could affect the balance of power in the Senate.
